Monday, July 31, 2023

Hype: Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake, Openings, Pokemon Sleep Nothing To With Pokemon Go, Punch Punch Forever

 

Some people aren't happy that this new series seems to take place in the real world and then crosses dimensions or something, but more then willing to give it a shot. A lot of the old crew came back for this, so should be pretty great quality.

-Little worried as production wise I believe it got ten episodes and that was it so far. With a unionization for Cartoon Network shows in the works, no idea if this we'll get more. Also, everyone working on it is already or will be on other stuff since nothing is renewed.

Openings - VIDEO PREVIEW from Petra Szemán on Vimeo.

via Game Scenes 

"Inhabiting the interstitial zones of anime credit sequences, video game loading screens and regional train journeys, Openings !!! (2022) intensifies the gaps between the layers of animated imagery in an attempt to grasp the kinds of experience that may lie beyond human perceptual boundaries. The video follows the protagonist ‘Yourself’ as they ride local trains through intermedial landscapes. From this uniquely conceived and drafted kinetic viewpoint, fragments of different worlds segue into view, signalling perceptual ruptures that seemingly force subjectivity outside of itself, into strange new relationships of interdependency and intoxication with the moving image."

 

We tried Pokémon Sleep at an exclusive overnight pre-release experience

via Soranews24 

     “We’re sure many people will think Pokemon GO+ and Pokemon Sleep are correlated with one another since their release dates are so close, so we want to be clear: There is no direct benefit to playing Pokémon Sleep for Pokémon GO trainers.

    However, there are some benefits for Pokémon Sleep trainers by playing Pokémon GO. You can accumulate items more easily by visiting Pokéstops in Pokémon GO+. In that sense, there is some correlation between the two games.

    Since Pokémon GO encourages you to go venture outside into the world, we wanted to create something on the opposite spectrum: a game you “play” while you sleep. They were designed to not have much overlap, so you can enjoy both games to their fullest in equal measure!”


 Punch Punch Forever is the best anime from the 90's that never existed before.

"Gogo Matsumoto, an 11-year old aloof martial arts prodigy, along with her half-demon older sister; Nono, her mama; Mama, and her cool pet frog; Coolfrog, embark to compete in a martial arts tournament that pits humans against a near-infinite barrage of demons from another realm called the Akumugai. If a human can come out triumphant, they will be granted a wish from the Akumugai's warlord, Emperor Koro. Can Gogo overcome this impossibe challenge? If so, will she wish for a big, like REALLY big hambrguger? I hope so!"


Mortal Kombat 1, does looks fun and out in September, dang.

Loki Season 2, October????? Now!!!!!

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Weekly What To Do: Screams and Revenge This Weekend


Friday, July 28, 7-10 pm
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
244 San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
$175 General Admission
 
Little Tokyo Service Center's 15th Annual
Sake & Food Tasting Fundraiser
A unique evening of sake, food, and fun.
Proceeds will help Little Tokyo Service Center make positive change for people and places.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NO, BUT: A WGA / SAG Strike Benefit Show
July 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre 
5919 Franklin Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90028
$30.00 

Jon Gabrus (101 Places to Party Before You Die) & Dan Gregor (Chip N’ Dale Rescue Rangers) host an All-Star lineup of out of work actors and writers in an improvised extravaganza. All proceeds go directly to the Entertainment Community Fund for struggling crew, actors & writers.

Westfield Century City

To celebrate Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, the first animated series set during the High Republic era, we are hosting a Family Field Day!  You and your Younglings are invited to join us in exploring the galaxy and starting your paths to becoming a Jedi Knight!


 
Select Theaters
 
Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon star in the original comedy Theater Camp as Amos and Rebecca-Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York. When clueless tech-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro) arrives to run the property (into the ground), Amos, Rebecca-Diane and production manager Glenn (Noah Galvin) band together with the staff and students, staging a masterpiece to keep their beloved summer camp afloat.
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 28-30, 2023
Long Beach Convention Center
$38 and up
 
All the chills and thrills of October over one summer weekend!

Shop from 350 spooky vendors; see previews of upcoming Halloween events and attractions; panels, presentations, and performances from leading horror performers and entertainment companies; and explore over a dozen haunted attractions in the massive Hall of Shadows.

Midsummer Scream's 2023 theme is "Ghoulish Games", inspired by creepy board games, horror video games, dark themed roleplaying games, and more. The theme will tie into the event with a slate of panels, a gallery and game room, and experiences throughout the event.

7/29 at 12pm - 6pm
Revenge Of
3420 Eagle Rock Blvd Unit #1, Los Angeles, CA 90065

The time for LotZilla is almost upon us!! Join us on 7/29 at 12pm - 6pm for an EPIC line up of vendors and artists! This month we’re throwing down with:
Data Crew - @data_crew
Heather "Hedwig" Hale - @heathermakesthings
Alex Pardee - @alexpardee
Moldazor - @moldazor
With interactive art installations from @alexpardee AND @moldazor
DELICIOUS food: Evil Cook Foods (@evil_cooks) and Nomadic Ice Pops (@nomadicepops) will be on hand to keep you cool and Liquid Death (@liquiddeath) will keep you hydrated!
OH and not only are we having a huge sale but we’re dropping our limited edition LotZilla shirt designed by Scott Sugiuchi (@ssugiuchi)

July 29-30 from 1 to 10 p.m
1324 5th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Free, must get tickets
 
Taking place in Downtown Santa Monica with a series of Asian-fused food mini night markets July 29-30 from 1 to 10 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy an intimate coastal vibe and casual setting to indulge in their favorite eats. The market will feature approximately three dozen food, merch & craft vendors and an alcohol garden for attendees 21+. The market is open to all ages and free to attend with reservations. 
 
2nd Annual Bananas Splitty in the City 1K
 July 29, 2023
                           Sign in & Bib Pickup                         2:00 PM PT - 3:30 PM PT
                           1K Start                                              3:50 PM PT
                           Show Start                                          4:30 PM PT
Begins at Frogtown Brewery (2931 Gilroy St, Los Angeles, CA 90039) and will end at The Elysian (1944 Riverside Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90039). 
 
This non-competitive, un-race for the untrained is a downhill .621-mile event, beginning at Frogtown Brewery and ending at The Elysian, where Kurt and Scotty will record a live episode of their podcast. Participants are encouraged to come dressed as a banana or in a banana-adjacent costume and run, jog, or walk with the hosts. All proceeds from the event will go to the LA food bank.
 
Dub-a-Dub-Dub: Summer Slash n’ Splash!
July 30 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
5919 Franklin Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90028
$15.00 

DUB-A-DUB-DUB is an improv show starring UCB’s best improvisers who also happen to be voice actors. Watch your fave comedians re-dub clips LIVE from movies, TV shows, cartoons, weird old commercials, and more!

This month’s theme: SUMMER SLASH N’ SPLASH! From giant sharks and psycho beach parties to Midsommar May Queens who Know What You Did Last Summer! The sand is stained with blood… and laughs, babyyy!

Monday, July 31 · 7:30 - 9:30pm
The Secret Movie Club Theater 
1917 BAY ST 2ND FL LOS ANGELES, CA 90021
$10 – $12
 
Movie centric bar-trivia-style trivia. Show off your movie knowledge and win real, potentially underwhelming prizes! Bring a team! Play alone! PLUS! Some questions will be Subjective Trivia, where there is no correct answer, but the rightest (new word) answer wins.
 
The Sklar Brothers: TAG IT!
Sarah Silverman, Pete Holmes, David Spade and Special Guest!
Tuesday, Aug 01, 2023 
Largo at the Coronet
366 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90048
$46









 
Extra: 
Nellie Le - "Flower Pot Kitten"

Plants & Flowers Show 2023: A Green-Life Themed Art Exhibition is a group show at Giant Robot Store running from July 22nd, 2023 to August 13th, 2023.


UCB, a cheapo comedy show almost every night, see comedians before they make podcasts and have
stories about the UCB and before they hit the big time.
 

Cinespia -Just came back this week for a new season.
This hosts screenings outside at iconic venues including The Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Greek Theatre, and Los Angeles Historic Park.
 
Check out classics and cult movies just a few stories above street level.


 
American Cinematheque-A celebrated independent theater group that brings both the talent and catalog of films to make for some of LA's best movie nights.
Secret Movie Club-Special edition posters and a large swatch of films to see.

Street Food Cinema-Outdoor cult or recent hits you'll love 

 New Bev-Tarantino owned independent theater with old school style

Cinelounge-Hollywood based tiny theater, showing off indies you've never heard of
 
Brain Dead Studios-Newcomer that manages to fill its schedule almost every night
Electric Dusk Drive-In- A drive-in playing classic movies during the Summer
 

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Hype: New Paul Robertson Cartoon, See Ya Cartoon Network, Strange New Worlds & Lower Decks Crossover & More

 Paul Robertson, pixel master, has a new cartoon coming out.

Lot of folks saying good-bye to the Cartoon Network Building in Burbank...and the possibly the studio/brand that created a childhood's worth of shows.


Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and the animated series Lower Decks crossover is fun for any Star Trek nerd. Doesn't matter if you haven't seen either show. It's Season 2 Episode 7 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, "Those Old Scientists" 

These are the only WB animated films straight to DVD or whatever that I recommend. You know you're getting a huge amount of violence. It's not a superhero film for kids and adults, which WB's animation doesn't make, they just churn out ultra violent crap. And, that is what Mortal Kombat is.


 K.E.V.I.N. Megamoji Vinyl Bust was at Comic-Con



Friday, July 21, 2023

LA Doesn't Have A Japan Society And It Sucks: Interview with Peter Tatara & Alexander Fee

By Jonathan Bilski

The jealousy we have in LA for New York when it comes to Japanese film screenings always gets hotter when Japan Cuts comes to the big apple. And, with it a few weeks away, it starts July 26th this year, you can feel the heat. 

New York.

Why should they get all the North American premieres? Why should they get all the special screenings? Why should they get anything, when LA is the entertainment capitol of America?

The Japan Society!

An organization we don't have. Sure, we have others. We have Anime Expo and the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation or SPJA. We have Japan House showing off artsy Pokémon as this article is out. We have our own Japan Film Festival LA (they try) and we had LA EigaFest, g-d rest its soul. Let's not forget the easy to remember Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival or LAAPFF.

Alexander Fee
We don't have a Japan Society and it sucks. So, I chatted with Japan Society's Peter Tatara, Director of Film and Alexander Fee, Film Programmer over why New York gets the all the good stuff and LA gets the anime. The following is excerpts from our conversation.

Jonathan: So, Peter and Alexander can you tell me what you both do?

Alexander: Sure, I'm Alexander Fee, I'm the Film Programmer here at Japan Society. I'm mostly in charge of curating the film programs we have here, particularly the retrospectives that would do year round. The exception being Japan Cuts, our sole focus on contemporary Japanese film.

He continued how they get accessibility to Japanese films that might have no showings in America. They bring them here and even in many cases make English subtitles for them.

Peter: Yeah, Peter Tatara, I'm the Director of Film here at Japan Society, work with Alexander on programming stuff. Beyond that, looking at the business end of running this year round. And, managing it together with the other parts of Japan Society. Prior to this, I spent 20 years working in live events in Japanese entertainment. Worked for New York Comic-Con for about a decade. And, was the founder of Anime NYC, that is the second largest Japanese pop culture event in the US.

I ask how they got the North American Premiere of Shin Kamen Rider.

Peter: I think anything we do, it's all about the relationship. Whether it being contemporary cinema or some classics rarely seen here it's all about the relationships.

He continued how he had relationships with Japanese cinemas big players like Toei and the American company Fathom Events. And, was happy tickets sold out in hours for the premiere.

Peter: What was exciting was seeing the audience that showed up for the event [Shin Kamen Rider]. As it was everyone from hardcore Rider fans to anime fans to cinephiles, corporate executives, Japanese consulate members. So, all of these different worlds coming together. 

The Kamen Rider premiere reminded me of LA having many a live action Japanese film premiere. I asked point blank, why that seems to be happening less.

Peter Tatara

Peter: What I will say is Japan Society, as an organization, the space we work for, it is a hundred-year-old non-profit focused on bringing Japan and US culture together.

Continuing, he added they have their own building to screen what they want in and do over 200 events per year.

Peter: It's everyone from Kurosawa to Mifune. It's all of the greats they've all been here. And, we have our own theater. We're able to do things as we have the equipment. There's weight and meaning when we present things, [because of their long history] be it classic cinema, premieres or giant karate bug men.

Earlier I mentioned the various organizations of LA to Peter and Alexander and how I still want more film.

Peter: While, there's a number of organizations in LA, I don't think there's any single organization that has made the same commitment to film. ...There's more Japan focused organizations in LA then exist here [NY]. I think what they choose to present or what they're able to present is different.

Peter went on to say they all do marvelous things, but they're forefathers did not make the commitment  to film like his society.

Peter: That being said, I do think LA gets more premieres in the pop culture world.

I was taken aback by this. And wondered what he meant.

Peter: A lot of that is driven by the anime companies. So, Crunchyroll is San Francisco and LA based. Aniplex is LA based. Bandai is LA based. All of the big anime publishers are West Coast based. And very likely for any big launch, they'll do big stuff out there.

And, I realized, Oh, yeah, we kind of get the Anime Premieres out here. Take that other American cities!

Peter: What I'm jealous about; you look at the big events that go on out there. So, Aniplex just did this massive Demon Slayer event. Doing a live concert with performers. Bringing out the voice actors. New York never sees anything like that.

A smile grew wide on my face. They might get the live action goodness, but we get the anime out here.

Peter then talked about getting a Suzume event after LA had its big premiere for it from Crunchyroll.

Peter: A lot more happens in LA. And, it's driven by the publishers themselves. 

After adding how he'd like if Japan Society had more anime events and was happy to help facilitate that with those companies. He added another point.

Peter: LA has more BIGGER, stately theaters. They have a ton more movie palaces that still exist. When, Demon Slayer did their event it was in a beautiful thousand plus space. When those kinds of venues are unicorns in New York. There's not a lot of movie palaces that match the splendor that are still out there on the West Coast.

Then, Peter went over Japan Cuts being fully back since 2019. And, how excited he was for it and how it was the main focus right now.

Alexander then took us down another road. That of cooperation, as getting films from Japan can be expensive and taking them on tour across the country can lessen the cost. By sharing the films, more people can see it around the US and I learned they've worked with our local American Cinematheque to get films over to our side of the country.

Alexander: A lot of the stuff we do is working directly with Japan. And that's typically quite prohibitive in terms of expenses. And, that makes it hard for areas to screen Japanese films. Japanese distributors work very differently than American distributors. That makes it very unique.

Alexander was making the point of how smaller venues in the US can't get the same films because of t that process.

Peter did some New York praising that I'll leave out on how great the city is but went over the end goals of getting Japanese film other than getting stuff for New York.

Peter: We would love to see those films expand out into other theaters. Wider circulation and US distribution. We love showing films for the first time in the US. But, the hope is, it's not the last time in the US.

Then, we shifted to their Japan Cuts film festival again, the schedule wasn't out yet when this interview took place. Peter told me he used to attend it before being a member of Japan Society and was looking forward to it greatly.

Peter: We looked over a hundred screeners this year for it.

Alexander: It seems now, in this era people want to come back see movies in the theater. So, this is why it's very exciting that were doing it all completely in person. This is the first year with Japan that you see it's now open. Last year, it wasn't such. Now, we can bring the festival back as it should be presented. I'm particularly excited for our next generation slate, which is our independent, up-and-coming film makers. There's something for everyone.

We then went over final notes on what LA could possibly do to get more Japanese film love.

Peter: If there are Angelenos that want classical or contemporary Japanese cinema or anime, tell people. Tell people what you want. If any LA venues want to talk to us to collaborate, we're very happy too. 

Alexander and Peter then mentioned the Academy Museum and Vidiots as places they saw standing out. And, hoped to hear more news from on what they'd be doing.

Alexander: I think there is great opportunity for Japanese film to be showcased in LA now. There seems to be, in my mind, more excitement about doing these series looking past Hollywood. There' s an interest in international cinema, that maybe wasn't there before. From an outsider view, I think this is great time for this to happen.

And, then we just chatted about film.


If in the New York area, do yourself a favor and check out the 16th annual JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, July 26-Aug 6.

It looks like LA needs to step up and have a stronger Japanese/Asian film group. Maybe, something through Vidiots or Alamo Drafthouse or just something new to get close to what Japan Society pulls off. I'll just say it sucks we don't have one.

I'd like to thank Japan Society's Peter Tatara, Alexander Fee and Allison Rodman, who set up the interview.

Thursday, July 20, 2023

TreeGate, Universal's Very Petty Play Against Strikers

Been following this on Twitter, but amazed it's real. Thought it had to be a clerical error. But, no it's real and casts a shadow on Universal during these strikes. A shadow taken away from strikers.
 
Universal trimmed trees it didn't own on the surrounding sidewalks around it, so strikers wouldn't have shade from the hot sun. I'm not sure who thought that was a good idea. But, makes Universal look like a cartoon supervillain.


BLEACH In Matte Black Coffee

 
Looks like this collab comes a little after Anime Expo and misses Comic-Con, but nice for us here. If you like coffee and Bleach...the anime, the anime, then you're in for a treat.

VIZ Media's BLEACH take over at Matte Black Coffee
NOW until August 10th
 8500 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90069 (in the Fred Segal shopping center)
 
"Matte Black Coffee and VIZ Media have partnered for the first time to deliver the collaboration of all BLEACH anime fans dreams - everyone’s favorite Soul Reaper, Ichigo, meets a culinary art experience. The lineup includes a custom co-branded menu inspired by BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War as well as limited-edition merchandise."
 
BLEACH Inspired Menu Items Include: "Ichigo's OJ Espresso", "Ichigo's Strawberry Lemonade", and “TYBW Toast - ABCookies style”
 
You wouldn't be too far from Pokémon x Kogei starting Tuesday.

July 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
Free

Woah, some what baffled that Japan House is exploring something so connected with modern anime and video game love. A fun looking art show of Pokemon made out of Japanese craft. Don't worry about missing it, it's staying here for months all the way into next year.

"Playful images of Pikachu, Rowlet, Litten and Popplio stencil-dyed onto silk cloth, a Charizard integrated into a large ceramic jar and a dazzling Jolteon sculpted from individual pieces of gold-and silver-plated copper hammered into the shape of lightning bolts – these are some of the ingenious creations in POKÉMON X KOGEI | Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft.

"Presented in three sections - Appearance, Stories, and Life – the exhibition features over 70 works and guides audiences to discover how Pokémon and the artists playfully challenge one another through craft. Featuring a Living National Treasure, the metal artist Morihito Katsura, as well as emerging artists like young metal artist Taiichiro Yoshida, the exhibition will also give audiences a view “behind the scenes” of craft techniques, and culminate in a stunning immersive installation."
 

Hype: Space Invaders World Defense, Hundreds of Beavers, Still Not Called Dinosaur Forecast & More


 Haven't tried it, but new ARG where you destroy Space Invaders on your phone in Space Invaders World Defense.

Hundreds of Beavers finally has a poster. We reviewed way back in 2022, but it's still making its round on the festival circuit. It'll be up at the Fantasia Film Festival later this month. Hope it gets a good deal somewhere so everyone can see how crazy it is.

Dinosaur Forecast, sorry. I mean...Exoprimal is out now. Supposed to be fun, but has a big price tag and you need a squad of four to play. And, maybe when dinosaurs come out of the sky; raining dinosaurs, the game should, maybe be called Dinosaur Forecast.

Exoprimal is out now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), and PC via Steam for MRSP $59.99. The game is also available starting today with Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and Cloud.

Viewfinder is also out now on PC and PS5. You might want to save games in your library as there's gonna be a whole for all this time taken off by Writers and Actors while the strike happens. So, in about a year from now, we'll fill a big empty whole of streaming content.


Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Game Hype: Timejinx & Hypnotorious Headed To Jackbox 10 & Stuff Coming Back

 

"Timejinx is for 1-8 players who want to battle it out to see who’s the least bad at knowing our timeline. Players will play the role of a time traveler who meets up with their ragtag group of friends for trivia night at the residence of our acerbic host, Jerri Rigg. Throughout the course of the wild night players will be tasked to blend into random parties from different decades, navigate their way through a time loop, save a real historical figure from their evil imposter and more."

"This is a game for 4 to 8 players where you and fellow players take part in a virtual stage show where the host, a mysterious hypnotist, mesmerizes you, and then gives you a character to play. So thoroughly do you take on this new persona, that when he asks you a question, you will answer as that character!"

The Venture Bros.: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart is out this Friday, Jul 21 digitally, Blu on Monday and also that Monday we have new Futurama on Hulu. It has 10 episodes and we get one new episode each Monday.

Oh and Pikmin 4 is Friday, too.



Weekly What To Do: Let's Hope Traffic Clears Up, Most People at Comic-Con

Even though actors and writers aren't going, many an Angeleno is headed to Comic-Con in San Diego this weekend. We can only hope for better traffic with so many people out there and zero actors promoting their movies. Can't wait to see how weird the footage will be of ...I guess, just directors?
 
Adult Swim Festival-sold out standby only
- The Toasting Room: A Pop-Tarts Fine Dining Experience at Adult Swim Festival in San Diego.
-Undeath is coming for us all. Look for the Teenage Euthanasia hearse in the Gaslamp Quarter July 20-22. Come for a glimpse at season 2, stay for the full bottle samples of Hint Water.
-There's panels for Adult Swim, but unsure if cast and crew will show up based on strikes.


July 22 ,12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
650 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Free

Step back in history and join the Pageant of the Masters 90th anniversary celebration with a parade, party and costume contest!

Inspired by the 1933 Spirit of the Masters, the sidewalk parade will begin at the Heisler Park Gazebo (near Las Brisas Restaurant) and travel through downtown Laguna Beach, visiting key locations from the Pageant’s early days. The route will include stops near Main Beach, up the Forest Avenue Promenade to City Hall and then end at the Festival of Arts for a party filled with music, special treats, face painting, photo ops and more.
 
RISING JAPAN MusicFest
July 22-23, 2023
Marina Green Park
386 E Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802
General: One-day $60, Two-days $110
VIP: One-day $180, Two-days $330

RJM is an outdoor music festival celebrating Japanese music in Los Angeles area, California. It is a live music concert event that showcases artists dedicated to Japanese music who live in the United States and Japan. The mission for this event is to promote the enjoyment of  Japanese music, culture, and food.
 
METROPOLIS (35mm) + Live Metal Score Showings @ The SMC Theater
The Secret Movie Club Theater 1917 BAY ST 2ND FL LOS ANGELES, CA 90021
$20 – $25
 
This rare 35mm screening will be accompanied by a live score by the band The Silent Light that veers from dark ambient to doom metal and was recently performed at CalArts. In other words, this screening is going to melt your face off your face. We’ll be handing out ear plugs for folks who don’t want the full “metal” experience. But please be aware. DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU DON’T LIKE INTENSE MUSIC.
 

Sunday, July 23rd @ 1PM-6PM
Tsun Scoops
13137 Brookhurst St, Garden Grove, CA 92843
 
"Along with event exclusive merch, new ice cream flavors, and a sneak peek/early access to Umvvelt's new Sharks & Rays collection (to be released online in late August), there'll be freebies and other fun things planned at the event as well!"
 
LADOT Presents Venice Boulevard: Explore the Corridor
Powered by CicLAvia
Sunday, July 23, 2023; 2 – 6 p.m.
Venice Boulevard
Free
 
Join us on Sunday, July 23rd to ride, bike, skate, and experience the new protected bike lanes and safety features on Venice Boulevard. This event will feature a series of guided group bike rides and walks along Venice Boulevard, between National and Sepulveda, as well as routes through the surrounding neighborhoods, highlighting the recent transportation safety improvements.

The street will remain open to cars and we encourage participants to explore the area safely. You can also jog, run, walk, skateboard, spectate, and enjoy the afternoon along the sidewalks in your own way. This event is welcoming to people of all ages and abilities!

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre 5919 Franklin Avenue
$15.00
 
The WGA is on strike! But a strike is more than just an cause. Sometimes, it’s a place where dreams are made, love thrives, and actors get their 15 minutes of fame. Come see a series of stories behind the scenes of the picket line. Everyone wants something in a strike. We hope they get it!
 
 
 The 35th annual “Shark Week” kicks off Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on the Discovery Channel. Jason Momoa is hosting it and it looks as silly as ever. No special tie-ins at ice cream shops this time that we can see.

 
 

July 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
Free

Woah, somewhat baffled that Japan House is exploring something so connected with modern anime and video game love. A fun looking art show of Pokemon made out of Japanese craft. Don't worry about missing it, it's staying here for months all the way into next year.

"Playful images of Pikachu, Rowlet, Litten and Popplio stencil-dyed onto silk cloth, a Charizard integrated into a large ceramic jar and a dazzling Jolteon sculpted from individual pieces of gold-and silver-plated copper hammered into the shape of lightning bolts – these are some of the ingenious creations in POKÉMON X KOGEI | Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft.

"Presented in three sections - Appearance, Stories, and Life – the exhibition features over 70 works and guides audiences to discover how Pokémon and the artists playfully challenge one another through craft. Featuring a Living National Treasure, the metal artist Morihito Katsura, as well as emerging artists like young metal artist Taiichiro Yoshida, the exhibition will also give audiences a view “behind the scenes” of craft techniques, and culminate in a stunning immersive installation."
 
Extra:
 
Skirball Cultural Center announces the twenty-sixth season of its
FREE outdoor concert series
SUNSET CONCERTS
Thursday evenings, July 20-August 24, 2023, at 8:00 pm

The Skirball Cultural Center proudly presents the twenty-sixth season of its free summer concert series Sunset Concerts. Featuring artists from Jewish, African, and Cuban diasporas, this year’s eclectic lineup reflects music’s connective threads to the past and its ability to forge cultural bonds and inspire hope for the future. Sunset Concerts—sponsored by the Bilger Family and presented since 1997 in the Skirball’s idyllic hillside courtyard—draws music fans of all ages from across greater LA and beyond.

The 2023 Sunset Concerts schedule is as follows: Billy Valentine (July 20); Telmary (July 27); AvevA (August 3); Sona Jobarteh (August 10); Ian Sweet (August 17); and Antibalas (August 24).


UCB, a cheapo comedy show almost every night, see comedians before they make podcasts and have
stories about the UCB and before they hit the big time.
 

Cinespia -Just came back this week for a new season.
This hosts screenings outside at iconic venues including The Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Greek Theatre, and Los Angeles Historic Park.
 
Check out classics and cult movies just a few stories above street level.


 
American Cinematheque-A celebrated independent theater group that brings both the talent and catalog of films to make for some of LA's best movie nights.
Secret Movie Club-Special edition posters and a large swatch of films to see.

Street Food Cinema-Outdoor cult or recent hits you'll love 

 New Bev-Tarantino owned independent theater with old school style

Cinelounge-Hollywood based tiny theater, showing off indies you've never heard of
 
Brain Dead Studios-Newcomer that manages to fill its schedule almost every night
Electric Dusk Drive-In- A drive-in playing classic movies during the Summer